President Barack Obama, former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, survivors and relatives of those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, delivered moving remarks at a dedication ceremony at New York City's National September 11 Memorial & Museum on Thursday.

The museum opened its doors for those most directly affected by the events of that day, nearly one week before opening next Wednesday to the general public.

"Here at this memorial, this museum, we come together. We stand in the footprints of two mighty towers,” President Obama said, staring in front of the famed "slurry wall” that held off the Hudson River in the days after the attack.

"We tell their story so that generations yet unborn will never forget."

9/11 Dedication Ceremony

An image of one of the original World Trade Center Towers is displayed in the window of the 9/11 Memorial Museum pavilion during the dedication ceremonyat the National September 11 Memorial Museum at ground zero May 15, 2014 in New York City.

Image: Anthony Behar/Getty Images

Honor Guards comprised of members of FDNY, NYPD, and PAPD enter the stage during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum May 15, 2014 in New York City.

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US President Barack Obama speaks during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York on May 15, 2014.

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Mickey Kross (C), who served as a Lt. in the FDNY, accompanied by ten other members of the FDNY and Port Authority who were trapped and survived during 9/11, speaks during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum May 15, 2014 in New York City.

Image: Chang W. Lee/Getty Images

US President Barack Obama speaks at the dedication of the national September 11th Memorial Museum in New York, on May 15, 2014.

Image: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

Performers sing at the dedication of the national September 11th Memorial Museum in New York, on May 15, 2014.

Image: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

Invited family and friends of 9/11 victims react as President Barack Obama speaks about Wells Crowther who sacrificed himself to save others during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York on Thursday, May 15, 2014.

Image: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times/Associated Press

Members of the general public are reflected in the glass facade of the 9/11 Memorial Museum pavilion during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum at ground zero May 15, 2014 in New York City.

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Members of the general public watch a screen projection of U.S. President Barack Obama giving a speech during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum at ground zero May 15, 2014 in New York City.

Image: Anthony Behar/Getty Images

Members of the general public watch a screen projection on the World Trade Center Plaza during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum at ground zero May 15, 2014 in New York City.

Image: Anthony Behar/Getty Images

Members of the general public watch a screen projection of U.S. President Barack Obama giving a speech during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum at ground zero May 15, 2014 in New York City.

Image: Anthony Behar/Getty Images

Port Authority Police Academy cadets stand by the South reflecting pool during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum at ground zero May 15, 2014 in New York City.

Image: Anthony Behar/Getty Images

Members of the general public watch a screen projection of U.S. President Barack Obama giving a speech during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum at ground zero May 15, 2014 in New York City.

Image: Anthony Behar/Getty Images

A woman cries as she watches the screen projection of U.S. President Barack Obama giving a speech during the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum at ground zero May 15, 2014 in New York City.

Image: Anthony Behar/Getty Images

Members of the general public watch the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum at ground zero May 15, 2014 in New York City. The museum spans seven stories, mostly underground, and contains artifacts from the attack on the World Trade Center Towers on September 11, 2001.

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